Backers of Michael Shields are drawing up further appeals following UK justice secretary Jack Straw’s decision on July 2 to decline a pardon for the jailed football fan.
In a "provisional" ruling, Straw said he was unable to conclude that the 22-year-old, found guilty in Bulgaria and sentenced to jail for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev, was "morally and technically innocent".

Shields was convicted in Bulgaria in July 2005 of attacking Georgiev during a street brawl in the resort of Golden Sands. Shields was later transferred to a British prison to finish his 10-year sentence. Georgiev required several operations following the attack but, fortunately, four years later, he has been able to return to work, in an electrical appliances store in Varna.

Another Liverpool man, Graham Sankey, later said that he had carried out the attack but then withdrew his original confession. Shields insists he played no part in the late-night brawl and was in bed at the time. He later claimed to have been mistreated while in the custody of Bulgarian police, alleging he had been attacked by officers, bullied by inmates, subjected to cold showers and chained to a radiator.

Campaign continues
Straw’s ruling shocked those who argued that Shields had been the victim of a miscarriage of justice and who had been pinning their hopes on Straw’s decision. A number of high-profile figures, including Liverpool footballers, politicians and clergymen have shown their support for Shields over the years.

Shields’ father, Michael Senior, expressed his outrage at Straw’s decision and also the way his son was given the news. Speaking at the time of the decision, on July 2, Shields senior said: "I just cannot believe the way he (Straw) has done this. They sent the letter straight to Michael alone in jail and not to his lawyer. Michael’s just absolutely distraught. We are absolutely devastated. After four years of tireless campaigning, we had every hope and belief that Michael was about to be pardoned for a crime he did not commit."

Shields’ father implied that Straw’s decision came as a total shock. "We have been led a merry dance by the government. We have been kept completely in the dark and still have no idea what is happening. I don’t know how much more we can take as a family. One minute we are expecting him to be pardoned and released, then the next minute all our hopes are dashed. All I can say is that Michael, his family and all the campaigners are absolutely heartbroken."

Shields father also said that Straw should meet a new witness who can prove his son is innocent. "I will meet Jack Straw myself and I will go down for a meeting with this witness and let them tell Mr Straw to his face that Michael is innocent," he said.

Shields’s mother, Marie, described Straw’s decision as "a disgrace".

Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman, who has long campaigned for Shields’ release, also expressed dismay at Straw’s decision: "We were all deeply disappointed and very disturbed by his (Straw’s) provisional decision but the campaign must continue. There is a month to make further representations and bring forward evidence showing Michael’s innocence. We must keep working to secure Michael’s long overdue release. A key factor will be the report sent to the justice secretary by Merseyside police. It is important the contents of that are released."

Merseyside MEP Arlene McCarthy is also lodging an in-depth appeal with Straw.
"The failure of Bulgaria to accept their democratic responsibilities to right a terrible wrong has now got to be challenged by the UK government," McCarthy said in a statement.